Cliff? Which cliff? I run over to the edge of the area and look down the rocks to the river at the bottom of the drop.

My eyes search the water frantically. I follow the flow of the stream and search for remains of any kind. All I see is the body of a huge wolf in the distance that had washed up on the shore. I run alongside the cliff to where it is. I see, in the distance a body in the water. I run for it to see who it is, hopping down the stones and running in the warm water. It is indeed the ranger. He bleeds from his head into the clear water.

I trudge through the river and to where he floats, grabbing his arm and torso, and pulling him to shore. He is knocked out cold.

"Legolas! Gimli! Théoden!" I call as I drag him out of the water. They come running down frantically, Legolas seeming the most eager.

"He's bleeding," I say in worry.

"Get him on a horse," Théoden says in haste. But we look to the left to see Aragorn's horse standing there ready to carry him. Legolas and Théoden lift the man onto the brown horse's back and Legolas hops up behind him.

"Get the wounded on horses!" Théoden calls to his men. "...And leave the dead."

"Take my horse, Vil," Legolas says.

I nod and he takes off towards Helm's Deep with Aragorn's "body".

I look to my right to see Gimli gone. He mounts the white horse and I run up the hill towards him. I put my foot in the stirrup and pull myself on the animal in front of the dwarf. We take off northwest, following the rest of the soldiers.

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We arrive at Helm's Deep after a couple hours of travel. It is a great fortress with two tiers next to a large tower that holds the battle horn. The great wall cuts us off from reaching it and the walled courtyard to the left of the tiers that is fenced in by cliffs. A turning stone ramp leads to the great gate on the bottom tier. The whole thing is intimidating because of how massive it is.

We ride up the path to the doors of the fortress, the thing looking larger the closer I get. The great wooden gates open to us and we enter the city. People are out in the stone streets and our citizens walk up and down the steps.

They all work together to get all of the food into one spot and settle in the great city. I am glad to see that they all made it.

I see no sign of Théoden, Éowyn, or Legolas. But we get off our horse and guide it to where the stables are. Then we run up to the keep where they have taken all of the wounded.

I climb the stairs past civilians that I don't even glance at, thinking too hard on the friend that is badly hurt.

When I get to the top Gimli and I run to the doors of the hall past the stone pillars that hold the roof of the keep. Inside I stop and look to where they carry wounded men and I follow them; to the western room where people lie in beds and women tend to their injuries.

I find Aragorn there with Legolas and Éowyn. I run up to them as Éowyn wraps the ranger's head in bandages. Théoden is standing there as well.

I rush to his side and check for a pulse by pressing two fingers on his wrist. They wonder what I am doing.

"His heart beats faintly," I say. "He is losing life as we speak." I try to keep the worry in my voice to a minimum

"What can we do?" Éowyn asks with a tone like mine.

I look up at her. "Nothing. You guys don't have to tools you need to save his life. The only thing that would work is an elvish healer and my thoughts say that you don't have one standing by."

"There must be something we can do."

I glance at Théoden and Legolas who agree with me, sadness in their eyes.

I look down at the king-to-be, placing a wet cloth on his arm that also bleeds, and seeing no life in his closed eyes.

That's when I hear the screaming. It is distant, outside the stone building we are in. I turn around, giving one worried look to Théoden before I fly from the room and push open the doors of the keep. That's when I see it. Standing on the top of the wall with people exclaiming and running from it, the children pointing... is my bloody dragon.

It roars in defense just as a soldier pulls back the string of his bow and aims at it.

"Hey!" I call to the man. I pick up a stone from the ground and thrust it just before he fires. It knocks his bow to the side.

When the creature sees me it lunges for the concrete porch of the building on the second tier on which I stand. It balances here and its face says innocent excitement and also kindness; loyalty.

I shake my head and stroke the beast's chin gently. He begins to heave. I stand back and let him spit up a slobber covered brown loin cloth.

He ate someone? But who? Who would have worn just this loin cloth?

He is indifferent, and stares at me plainly.

Well I guess I know how I am going to get to the forest north of here. This way I can be quick.

But I see something on the saddle of my beast; two packages carefully wrapped. I stand on my toes and unclip them from the saddle. They are heavy but I can hold them. A name written in elvish is on both, which I can read now thankfully. The bottom one reads "Legolas", and the top package reads "Vilora". I put down the one marked Legolas and look at the note attached to mine, also written in elvish: I know of where you are, and the cause you fight. You have my consent and my support.

I look at the name signed at the bottom and smile. "King Thranduil".

I unwrap the gift to find something leather. I pull it out to see that it's a long sleeved, leather light cuirass. I find one large pauldron made of thicker leather with the symbol of Mirkwood at the corner. Elven chainmail tight trousers with leather bindings and fastenings for various weapons, and brown boots with amber plates for the top of the feet are also included.

I pack the items into the bags on the side of my pet's saddle along with Legolas's to make sure it does not get stolen.

I slide my hand down Morier's neck, feeling his smooth scales that are more of a leathery dark skin. I smile. I cannot believe he returned but I am so very thankful for it. He must have not known where I was for a long time...

I look back at the keep.

Then I decide to leave Éowyn to take care of Aragorn and be with him alone. I hop onto the saddle on the back of my beast and let his wings hit the ground, sending us into the air after I hold the strings on the bridle and fastenings. I am going to take a look at the activity of Isengard and report to the king. I highly doubt Saruman would have given up that easily. I hope as well that Sauron will not be attacking from Mordor. But I remember how far that place is from here.

We climb over the cliffs and rise into the clouds. I hold on tightly to its neck and bridle as it almost flies vertical. But soon we can see past where we were... I can see into the valley and to the lands north, brown and mostly flat... I look towards the north where Isengard is located. It is far from here so I make Morier fly a bit faster.

We soar above the lands to where we can see a little road that travels from here to north. We follow above it.

It feels so refreshing to be high up again, away from all kinds of danger and free like a bird. Although I stop myself from drifting from my task at hand...

I fly a bit farther and notice something odd. My eyes widen when I realize it's an army headed our way. I need Legolas's elf eyes to be honest. But from here I can se a massive force far north that makes a black cloud upon the lands. They are so far that they appear not to move, but they are... they are headed to Helm's Deep.

I speak to my creature to return to the fortress and it banks, flying south then plummeting down to the stone stronghold. We land where we took off and I think the people know now that it is on our side when they see me riding it, strange enough.

I hop off its back and run to the keep. I throw open the doors and I see Théoden talking to his men and his assistant.

"My lord! I have seen the armies that march upon us form Isengard!" I say approaching him.

He turns to look at me in surprise. "How far?"

"They would arrive tomorrow night."

"How many could you see?"

"At least fifteen thousand."

"Fifteen thousand..." he repeats, as if not believing it.

"We only have about twenty fighters left..." I say.

"...We will have to put the citizens in arms... And adding the soldiers in this fortress... we will have close to three hundred."

I am about to speak but I don't. I know in my heart that that is not enough. "We will need more men... or perhaps not men." I turn and walk into the healing room where I am about to tell Legolas that we must leave and hand him his package from Thranduil but I stop when I see that he sits by Aragorn's bedside, troubled and miserable at the ranger's state. I don't have the heart to disturb him so I look down... then turn around and leave.

My back is against the stone wall after I have cleaned my face a little from the blood and dirt. My clothes are still dirty however. I think about Aragorn... and how he did something so kind for me. I would never have made it here if not for him. I worry in my heart, knowing that just like Théodred, his life is slipping from him and he won't make it. I feel a knot in my throat when I remember how Éowyn was when he died, and how Legolas would look if we lost Strider... how he looked even hours after he was told his brother had died...

I shut my eyes...

I haven't saved Aragorn's life... only posponed his death.

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It is early morning. I fell asleep sitting by Aragorn's bed listening to his heart beat slow. I lift my head from where it lay on his arm and open my eyes. The king will not be king... There is no pulse anymore, no living breath in his lungs, no life in his body.

I stroke the dark hair from his face and feel a lump in my throat. Another man has fallen... He was going to save us. He was going to help us win this war and unite the men across Middle Earth... but now he's gone.

And I know Legolas, Gimli, and him were close. Legolas had said that they travelled together for weeks. Best friends the three of them were. I know what it's like to lose a best friend. But Legolas seems to be new to the feeling, which is why I left him alone.

This is all so unfair...

I shut my eyes and fight back the tears. I can't do this now. I can't break down. War is coming. I must have my mind set on defending these people...

I look away and breathe, not bearing to see his pale face anymore.

But I can't just leave him here. I can't leave his bod-

Something moves under my hand that was on Aragorn's stomach. I look up at the man to see him suddenly open his eyes and take a deep breath, his heart beat starting up quickly.

I retreat my hand and stare in shock. He's alive? Wait what? How is he alive?

I grab his cold hand, the tears staining my voice. "Aragorn?"

He breathes and his eyes flash over to me. "Vilora?" he murmurs. He sits up slowly and frowns, but looks a little in shock as well.

"You're alive!" I lunge forward and hug him tightly. I grip the thin, dark red shirt he wears over his worn skin.

He is taken aback but wraps his arms around me gently, unlike me as I am aggressive. That's also when I notice how incredibly beefy this guys is as I bury my face in his shoulder.

"How is it you're alive? We thought you were dead," I mutter trying not to cry.

He hugs tighter. "So did I," he breathes.

When we finally part he doesn't look away from my eyes. I cannot think of any reason he should be alive but then it hits me. I remember Niniliath telling me once that when an elf is in love, they can use their powers of healing in even dreams, from miles away. This lover he had who is now gone must have been an elven woman. And she must still love him.

"Where are we?" he asks, still a bit dizzy and maybe confused.

"Helm's Deep," I breathe.

He looks around him. "We're in the keep..."

"Yes."

He looks at the table next to him at the necklace that sits on it from where Legolas placed it. He frowns a little and picks it up.

"Legolas saved it. It had fallen off before you fell."

He holds it tightly in his hands.

"...The armies of Isengard will be here by nightfall..."

He looks up at me.

"You won't stand a chance alone. Which is why I have to go." I stand up. I had taken my corset and bracers off and also my hair out of its braid that had been giving me a headache. And I am barefoot. But I turn around. "You should rest up before then."

"There's no time," he responds, trying to get his legs off the bed and stand up.

"Then at least eat," I say stealing a plate of bread and meat from someone's table that had died in the night so he won't need it now, and hand it to him.

He hesitates.

"Eat. I have to go. Take it easy and be ready for battle by the time the sun goes down." I exit quickly and walk into the sunlit main hall. I see Legolas in there and I pick up the package I have and bring it to him. "This came for you," I say plainly and hand it to him. He looks confused almost but takes it. "We need to leave as soon as possible. Be ready and meet me outside."

I take the things that the king of Mirkwood gave me and dress in a vacant room with the door closed. I put on all the gear he gave me and attach my daggers to my thighs and my sword on my back along with my bow and quiver. I pull back two pieces of hair on either side and tie them on the back of my head.

Then I grab a piece of fruit off the table that the soldiers eat from when I come into the room and eat it.

I see Aragorn come from the room of sickly in his gear.

That is when Legolas and Gimli who are in here see that he is alive. The little dwarf runs to him and greets him happily. Legolas seems joyful but a less enthusiastic way, unlike I was. 

I smile at the reunion but my business here is done and I must make haste. I walk from the halls and out to the overlook. Legolas comes out within a few minutes.

I don't look at him but whistle loudly to the air. I don't hear him move behind me. But the large winged beast comes flying over the grey stone and lands in front of me.

I look over my shoulder to see the wide eyes of my elf companion. I try not to laugh at his reaction to this monstrous creature of pure evil that I have completely tamed like any normal animal.

That's when I notice that he is wearing two shoulder plates made of leather like mine, but a bit different. And he has a new elven sword attached to his back and a new quiver full of arrows.

I walk to the side of it and hop onto the thing's back. "You comin' or not?"

He still looks a bit shocked but nods.

I scoot back on the saddle to give him room as he leaps onto it carefully. I give him the reins. "Do you actually know how to fly this?" he hesitates.

"Nope. Better hold on," I joke and speak "fly" in elvish.

My beast roars into the air and slaps its huge wings on the ground, lifting us up and taking wind. My partner in front of me holds on tightly and I laugh, grabbing his waist as the animal flies upward at a steep angle.

The rocky cliffs fly under us and we finally make it to the peak. There we can see far north. The army has advanced. But we send the beast forward towards the mountains far ahead, the wings of Morier flapping against the wind and pulling us higher into the sky. 

"Why are we going to FangornForest?" Legolas asks over the wind.

"We can't win this war alone. We need allies."

"We should be acquiring aid from Lórien."

I squint and look ahead when I see another army headed to Helm's Deep. "Something tells me that someone already sent them..."

The creature roars again and banks just slightly to the left.

"Higher, Morier. Show us what you know of haste."

He flaps his wings against the air, soaring into the clouds with speed.

I look below me and tighten my grip on Legolas's hard waist. We cast no shadow on the golden lands of Rohan beneath us because of the dark clouds overhead. My hands feel the elf's every breath and I rest my head against his shoulder, breathing deeply. I notice then that he is no longer wearing his green cloak. And his arrows and other weapons are fastened to the side of the saddle along with mine.

Just then the sun bursts through the clouds, filling the air with golden light as the thick fluff surrounds us. Underneath I can only see white and ahead only cloud. We are high in the sky now and it is harder for me to breathe.

"Are you alright?" he asks gently to my abnormal breaths.

"Yeah I'm fine. Just a little out of breath."

"...I have never heard of anyone able to tame a beast that serves Mordor."

"Yeah I guess I'm just special," I snort.

"Is it your gift you think?"

I look down at my palm. The marking is still there in the form of a scar. Then I place my hand back around my other wrist at his waist. "I think so."

I rest my cheek against his shoulder and close my eyes. I feel like I'm in a dream, my arms around someone I barely know, yet feel like I know very well, and my cheek feeling the leather shoulder plate. I feel suspended high above anything and all worries despite the danger that's ahead of us.

Wind kisses my face, most of it blocked by Legolas though. Golden light seeps into my eyes and I open them. The sun lights up the thick clusters of floating water around us, creating deep contrast with the picture before me. I never thought in my entire life that I would be soaring through the clouds on a dragon with my head resting on a beautiful blond haired elf. But my reality has changed, like it so often does.

It's been a few hours as we now fly a little lower inside the clouds. Thunder can now be heard far in the distance. It is very quiet however. I believe it's somewhere on the mountains. But soon a mist sprays over us, hitting my skin with a refreshing cool sensation. I squint to keep it from my eyes but I feel Legolas look around, a slight smile on his face.

I take my arms off him and hold them out into the wind, my palms touching the cool droplets of water.

"Have you ever done this Legolas?" I say joking around.

"You might want to hold on, Vil."

Morier's wings flow up then down again, making a loud swooshing sound and send my balance back a bit, scaring me to where I lunge forward and grip onto him once more, my hand firmly on his abs.

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Don't get any ideas, boy."

I sense him frown in confusion but amusement then ask, "What?" with a bit of laughter.

"You know... when men get certain urges..."

He has no idea what I am talking about.

"Okay I think we should end this conversation now."

"I do not think you should have started it." He makes an awkward and pained look.

I giggle.

We continue our journey. I feel a little embarrassed at what I just said but also amused as he seemed to be. I always seem to make a fool out of myself in front of him. I mean most of the time I keep cool with everyone else but why does he turn me into a goof ball when I should be serious? Or make me happy when I should be in pain? I remember the first day I met him I could open up to him in a way that I could almost open up to Thranduil. I remember waiting for him to come back after he left Mirkwood to go to Rivendell... that's what I was searching for that day. And then when I saw him again in Edoras... what were the odds I would find them again?

That makes me think of something. I smirk. "Gandalf said you mentioned me to him."

"I did. He asked about my brother and that is how I came to tell him."

"Is that all? You didn't tell him that you met some beautiful goddess that you fell in love with and wish to marry as soon as possible?" I tease with almost a bit of laughter.

I can feel him laughing under my arms. "You are so strange, Lady Vilora."

"Sorry..."

"No, my lady. I meant that as a compliment."

A grin takes my lips and I rest once more against his shoulder. I remember him telling me that he thinks my personality is refreshing and different in a positive way.

I think now I should just accept that everyone in Middle Earth will think me strange and not be afraid to be so.

"I told Éowyn about meeting you," I say trying to get him interested and also trying not to smile.

"And what did you say?" he plays along.

"Oh nothing she just asked me who I knew in Mirkwood and I told her the royal family."

"...Hm."

"...You're no fun," I pout.

He chuckles. "I am sorry," he half means it.

"Yeah you should be."

He glances over his shoulder at me and that's when I laugh and press my lips in, burying my mouth and nose against him and look up at him from under my lashes.

He tries to look indifferent but a smile steals his lips and his eyes and he looks down in front of him.

I grin as well and let the silence take us once more. I try to remember what I am supposed to be thinking about right now but my mind is... okay put away the butterflies Vilora. He has a charming smile that sends your heart thumping but you cannot do this. Losing Ry destroyed you and he was only a friend you couldn't imagine what... this... No you can't

I sigh and shut my eyes, wanting to be up here forever with my arms around this perfect creature but I must remember why I am here. It is getting late and I suspect the armies of Isengard are already almost at Helm's Deep or at least close...

I feel myself sit up straight and look ahead. The sun has left us in a cobalt blue sky and silver clusters of cloud. The lands beneath us are a teal haze. And ahead sights of mountains can be seen just barely, miles north.

Then once the clouds are above us I can even see the massive forest ahead, laid down like a fluffy dark blue-green blanket cast aside from the peaks.

"Morier, start our descent," I speak in elvish.

He moves his wings up then down again, bringing them in closer and aiming downward.

I clutch onto Legolas's abs tighter as we head towards the earth. We pass cloud and wind stings my eyes. But we get closer and closer to the ground. And once we reach the grass just in front of Fangorn he comes to a land. There would have been no way to land in the woods as the tree tops are too thick.

My eyes gaze in marvel up at the huge entanglement of trees before us.

Inside it looks dense, cluttered, and dark. Legolas hops off swiftly and then holds out a hand for me.

I leap form the beast's saddle, taking his hand and landing on the grass. I then take off my weapons and he takes his off and we strap them on.

"Estolada sinome," I command him and the thing roars but shifts positions.

Legolas stares up at the forest and I race towards it. "Come we must make haste," I say and he is already close behind me. I leap over roots and my feet land under thick green brush. Inside the forest it feels so much darker now that the sun is hidden by clouds and the thick tops of the trees.

"Do you know of what you are supposed to do?" he asks behind me.

"Would you like me to lie?"

After there is no answer I turn around.

He frowns. "Was I supposed to answer?"

"Maybe..." I sigh and look around. "These trees look dead, Legolas."

"They grow quiet in shadow of Isengard. Trees have never fought in the wars of men."

"What makes Gandalf think they would listen?"

"I do not know... But Gandalf does. And I think we should listen to him."

"I do want to listen... but what am I to do? I have not yet figured out how my powers work."

"I could not tell you. But the others need us. Vilora you must try."

I sigh and turn around. Looking to the vast forest I stand in. I place my hand on a tree trunk and think...

"I think it is simpler than you believe," he says kindly, approaching me.

I turn around and look up innocently. He smiles but in a way that encourages me rather than mocks me and places a gentle hand on my cheek.

I breathe. He is right. I have to try something. Something will come.

"The orcs would have arrived now..." I murmur.

"The war has begun..." he says.

I stand up and straight and turn around, walking through the woods. "And the child of innocents shall spill his blood... the beasts stand guard at the gates, ready to kill, to mar and to ruin." I look up at the blue that shines through the leaves and dances through the trees. "The spear shall be split, and the arrow sunk. In the end of the rain death awaits. The men the horse shall be cut down within the night, our friends and our allies will perish... And all of which was good and green in this world will be gone." I feel myself become angry with power. "These trees have slept long enough."

I walk further into the midst of the forest with Legolas right behind me.

"Yala onna!" I call to the trees. "Elea i'dolen!" Spells I remember Nin teaching me. Ones to reveal and summon.

"Awake! Rise from your endless slumber!" I say. "The world is coming to an end. And what end would you see fit? Sauron and his puppet Saruman will take these lands including your own! He has already burned down some of you, taken your family members for fuel to bend and craft metal! To destroy! Take up your own strength! Ama poldora! Fight!"

Legolas looks about the trees as they begin to make strange noises, their bark shifting and branches tangling.

"Yala onna en' kemen! Asca melloneamin!"

I look at the ground as roots begin to lift from the soil, bringing dirt up from the grass, lifting into the air and twisting of branches. "Yala onna en' kemen," I tell them once more. "Gurth gothrimlye. Yaaraerea! Caela ie 'lle," I finish darkly.

The things that were once trees about us, are now up, walking and have almost the shape of humans. The ground shakes with their step. Ents they are.

Legolas is looking about in awe as they movie from the forest towards the south.

"Belegerea!" I call to them. "Ndengina," I command.

Legolas looks back at me with excitement in his eyes.

"Ndengina," I repeat. (kill)

Legolas takes off towards the end of the forest where we were and I follow him. I run past huge creatures of earth, their coming I can see for miles.

Once of their giant legs stomps down in front of me, the roots dragging on the grass and moss. I run past the large beast. Sounds of tree-ish battle cries and bellows fill the air.

I see my creature ahead looking up at the trees with confusion. Legolas has hopped onto the back of him and when I get to them he offers his hand. I take it, letting him pull me up and I secure myself on the back right behind him. "Up, Morier!" I command. He lifts his enormous wings and pushes past moving Ents. I thrust my hands around my elf's waist and we are sent into the sky once more.

His wings climb the open air and I look beneath me at the army at my command. We head for Helm's Deep. And to the end of the Uruk-hai.

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PS: please please please COMMENT and tell me anything on your mind or what you think so far. I REALLY need reviews if i am to grow as i writer! thank you!